Chapter 297

"This servant... this servant will definitely find a way to get the seal." The words, which carried crying but were unusually firm, confirmed Qingfeng's confidence. Waving her hand lightly, Qingfeng replied, "Withdraw."

"Yes." Yao Chan didn't dare to stay long and hurriedly slipped back from the side.

"Send someone to watch her. If she has any unusual movements..." The words behind didn't need to be finished; Fuling already understood, "If there are unusual movements, kill her." Her heart tightened slightly, but in the end, she still replied as usual, "Yes."

Qingfeng raised her hand and patted Fuling's hand lightly, saying gently, "Go back."

"Yes."

The shock and sadness that flashed across Fuling's eyes did not escape Qingfeng's eyes. Fuling was meticulous, cautious, and very loyal to her, but it was a pity that she was kind-hearted and cold on the outside but warm on the inside. This was a good quality, but in this inner palace, being soft-hearted was sometimes more dangerous than being dull. Both Empress Dowagers were dissatisfied with her, the Empress had huge power and was vicious, and other concubines, although they hadn't taken action against her yet, were probably waiting for an opportunity to get rid of her. She was weak and powerless; if she was caught by someone, she could be doomed forever.

Fuling was her servant in name, but having supported each other along the way, in her heart, Fuling was already the only relative besides her own sisters. But what kind of person was Fuling? A person who refused to serve her mistress humbly for ten years must have a noble heart. Always making her do despicable and filthy things must make her heart suffer, be tired, and damage the friendship between them. Qingfeng also couldn't bear to let Fuling become so vicious and ruthless; after all, there were not many people who treated her sincerely.

Qingfeng sighed secretly. She was still missing someone who was clear-minded and ruthless by her side...

The next day, Xixia Palace

In the small garden in front of the hall, the flowers had all faded, and only a few clusters of bright yellow chrysanthemums were blooming in competition. A woman in a plain dark purple dress held scissors, carefully pruning the branches and leaves, and the gentle smile on her face looked mild and loving.

The old nanny walked over briskly and saluted behind her, "Mistress."

The joy in her tone was obvious. Yang Zhilan didn't turn her head, focusing on pruning the flower branches while smiling, "Is there any good news?"

The old nanny's face was full of smiles and replied, "Lou Xiyan's old illness has recurred. The imperial physician has already gone to diagnose it, only saying it keeps recurring, and the imperial physician is also at his wit's end. Looking at it this way, I'm afraid that before the case is finished, he will die in prison."

The mistress really had foresight. For many years, nominally it was to seek medical advice for Lou Xiyan, but in fact, the medicine carefully prepared for him, although it contained good prescriptions to suppress his illness, also contained a medicine guide that made him unable to cut off the root for many years, which just happened to come in handy today.

Everything was within her expectations. Yang Zhilan didn't see joy on her face, but instead frowned, asking, "What did the Emperor say?" Tian'er and Lou Xiyan grew up together and had a deep relationship. She was clear about this, and she was afraid that this illness would make him soft-hearted.

Seeing Yang Zhilan's worry, the old nanny hurriedly replied, "Mistress, don't worry. Under the pressure of a group of officials led by Minister Yang and Minister Li, the Emperor did not let Lou Xiyan out of prison for treatment, but only issued an imperial decree to change his cell."

"Good." In every dynasty, the imperial family could not tolerate the crime of rebellion. Tian'er didn't show mercy to his own younger brother, let alone a subject. She was really worrying too much. Yang Zhilan's eyes darkened, but what flashed in her eyes was unknown whether it was joy or sorrow, injury or pain.

"Send someone to watch those two rebel leaders at all times. Don't let them talk nonsense. If they can't stand the torture and defect temporarily, then finish them off. This matter cannot tolerate a single mistake." Yang Zhilan gently touched the beautiful flower, gentle and loving, but the words that came out of her mouth were cold and emotionless.

"Yes." The old nanny's heart trembled, not daring to have the slightest hesitation.

Yao Chan carried the freshly drawn well water, preparing to enter the inner room to change the water for the koi kept by the Empress Dowager on the altar of the Buddha hall. This was the only opportunity she had to approach the inner room every day. Missing this, even if the Empress Dowager wasn't in the palace, she wouldn't have the opportunity to steal the seal. Looking up without a trace, the Empress Dowager was still talking to the nanny in the small garden and had no intention of leaving at all. The You hour was about to arrive, and Yao Chan was anxious and panicked.

At this time, a ten-year-old palace maid suddenly ran into Xixia Palace, knelt before the Empress Dowager, and her flushed face and rapid breathing made people suspect that she was almost out of breath.

Yang Zhilan's hand holding the flower scissors lifted slightly, her expression unchanged, and a trace of displeasure flashed in the bottom of her eyes. The old nanny slapped the little girl on the back and scolded in a low voice, "What are you panicking for? You have no rules at all."

The little palace maid's five senses were wrinkled together from the pain, but she didn't dare to scream. Kneeling straight on the ground, she secretly caught her breath and replied nimbly, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Princess Zhaoyun, for some reason, rushed out of Qingxuan Hall and ran toward the Imperial Study. The servants couldn't stop her."

This time Yang Zhilan's face finally changed, "What's going on?"

The little palace maid looked troubled and stammered for a long time without saying anything. She was just a little palace maid in Qingxuan Hall. After lunch, it should have been the Princess's nap time. No one expected that the Princess, who had been listless and spiritless about everything these days, would suddenly rush out of Qingxuan Hall, shouting that she wanted to go to the Imperial Study. Lian'er couldn't stop her either and asked her to invite the Empress Dowager. She really didn't know what happened.

Yang Zhilan threw the flower scissors in her hand and didn't ask any more questions, saying coldly, "Lead the way."

"Yes." The little palace maid stood up trembling, walked half a step behind the Empress Dowager, and led the way bowing. Yang Zhilan led the old nanny and several palace maids and hurried out of Xixia Palace.

Yao Chan looked at the time; it was exactly the You hour. Secretly taking a deep breath, Yao Chan carried the water bucket as usual and walked slowly into the inner room of the Buddha hall.

In front of the Emperor's Zhengyang Palace, there was a large lawn. This was so that when the Emperor looked out from the main hall, the field of vision would be broad, and at the same time, whoever approached Zhengyang Palace could be seen clearly from afar, leaving no opportunity to hide their tracks.

On weekdays, there were few people on this large lawn, but today, a group of palace maids were seen surrounding a woman, not daring to pull her, only kneeling on the ground in unison, blocking her path forward.

Xiao Lian pulled Yan Ruxuan's sleeve tightly and said anxiously, "Princess, you can't go!"

Yan Ruxuan had been blocked all the way, and coupled with her burning anxiety, she rarely lost the dignity of a princess, shouting, "Let go, I want to find my Royal Brother."

"Princess, please, please go back with Xiao Lian." Having been pulled and dragged all the way without being able to stop the Princess, Lian'er simply knelt down, hugging Yan Ruxuan's leg and refusing to let go.

"Presumptuous!" Her feet were tightly hugged, and Yan Ruxuan couldn't move at all. Her heart was even more anxious, glaring at Xiao Lian angrily, "You actually dare to block this palace's path, do you not want your life?"

"Princess, you absolutely cannot go! Even if you want Xiao Lian's head, Xiao Lian cannot let you go." Past this was the Emperor's Zhengyang Palace. Their pulling and dragging here might have already alarmed the Emperor. No one could help with the Prime Minister's matter. The Princess rushing in like this would only anger the Emperor.

Xiao Lian was already full of tear stains. For someone who had followed her for many years, Yan Ruxuan couldn't take her head either, so she could only struggle even harder, almost falling to the ground several times.

"Xuan'er, what are you doing?"

A loving yet anxious low call sounded from behind. The Empress Dowager had come. Xiao Lian breathed a sigh of relief and gently let go.

With her feet free, Yan Ruxuan immediately ran toward the Empress Dowager, pulled Yang Zhilan's hand, and asked somewhat incoherently, "Mother, Mother, tell me, is Brother Yan locked in the big prison? Why did Royal Brother lock him up? Is Brother Yan's old illness recurring? What did the imperial physician say? Mother, speak!"

"Who told you these things?" Yang Zhilan's face was gloomy, and her gaze looked at the servants kneeling on the ground, wishing she could tear them all apart.

"Mother, will you accompany me to find Royal Brother? How could he lock Brother Yan up? Shall we go and plead with him? Shall we?" The mother's face had changed, so it must be true. Yan Ruxuan's heart was even more anxious, pulling Yang Zhilan and wanting to run to Zhengyang Palace.

The sunlight in the early autumn afternoon was still very dry and hot. Coupled with running all the way and emotional excitement, Yan Ruxuan's face was slightly red, and the panic and heat in her originally dim eyes made them look bright and spirited. Compared to her listless and depressed appearance in the past few days, she was more lively, but all of this was still for Lou Xiyan. Yang Zhilan's resentment toward Lou Xiyan deepened a bit more, but her face remained calm. Patting Yan Ruxuan's hand, Yang Zhilan smiled and persuaded, "Xuan'er, who are you listening to these rumors from? The Emperor is such a wise and bright monarch, how could he lock a Prime Minister of a country in the big prison?"

Yan Ruxuan was stunned and stopped her steps. Thinking about the Emperor's usual actions, he shouldn't lock people in the big prison casually, but involving Lou Xiyan, she still couldn't rest assured and asked, "Is Brother Yan really not locked up?"

Yang Zhilan just smiled and nodded, not answering her question, and asked softly, "Who exactly did you hear it from?" Xuan'er had been staying indoors, and she had long told the people in Qingxuan Hall not to mention Lou Xiyan in front of the Princess. How could Xuan'er know? It was really suspicious.

Yan Ruxuan thought for a moment and shook her head, "I heard two little palace maids talking, but I don't remember who it was."

There were many palace maids in the palace. It was not strange that Xuan'er didn't remember, but it was very strange that two little palace maids dared to talk about Lou Xiyan in front of the Princess and speak so clearly. Yang Zhilan gave the old nanny a look. The old nanny understood and quietly retreated.

Yan Ruxuan pulled Yang Zhilan's hand, her heart still pounding, "Mother, did you really not lie to me?"

Yang Zhilan smiled and coaxed her, "How could Mother lie to you?"

"Then... I want to go to the Prime Minister's mansion to see Brother Yan." She was still a bit worried. If Brother Yan was really in danger, what should she do?

Why was this daughter so stubborn? Yang Zhilan was angry but didn't blame her, sighed softly, and said, "Has Xuan'er forgotten that he just got married?"

This sentence drained all the strength from Yan Ruxuan's body. She stumbled and fell into Yang Zhilan's arms, tears sliding uncontrollably again, "Yes, at this time Brother Yan should be accompanying his wife to travel around. Where would he have time to pay attention to me."

The sorrowful whisper sounded like self-mockery. Yan Ruxuan lost her spirit again. Yang Zhilan felt heartbroken, patted her back, and said softly, "Alright, Mother will send you back."

This time Yan Ruxuan didn't make a scene and followed Yang Zhilan toward Qingxuan Hall in a daze.

Fuling had been hiding behind the large tree next to Xixia Palace. After watching the Empress Dowager and her party leave in a hurry, she walked to the back door provided for servants to enter and exit to wait. Fuling had just arrived for a while when she saw Yao Chan carrying a water bucket and walking out. After looking left and right at the door, Yao Chan put the bucket at the door and ran toward her.

She came out in such a short time. Fuling was worried about changes and said anxiously, "Did you get it?"

"Hmm." Yao Chan took a white jade seal from her sleeve and handed it to Fuling. Fuling took a look; it was indeed the Empress Dowager Yang Zhilan's private seal. Fuling took out a few sheets of paper similar to letter paper from her bosom. Before opening them, she looked up at Yao Chan. Yao Chan immediately understood and hurriedly turned around, not daring to glance at them, and even walked two or three steps away with her back to Fuling, looking around vigilantly, blocking Fuling's figure behind her.

This person was cautious and knew how to advance and retreat. Being able to be used by the mistress was definitely a good thing. Time was pressing, so Fuling didn't let her mind wander anymore; getting the seal stamped was the right thing to do. Fuling stamped the seal while inadvertently glancing at the content above. This... this was actually private correspondence between the Empress Dowager and the Seventh Prince of Liaoyue? Fuling's hand couldn't help but shake. Madam Lou's move of using the same method to treat the other person was indeed brilliant.

(End of chapter)